Fireproof shutter



(No Model.)

I. SMITH. PIREPROOF SHUTTER.

No. 522,861. Patented July 10, 1894.

r251!.5taiiitmwmki UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

ISAIAH SMITH, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

FIREPROOF SHUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 522,861, dated il'uly 10, 1894.

Application filed February 14. 1894. Serial No. 500,115. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ISAIAH SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fireproof Shutters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

It is well known that fires often pass from one building to others through exposed windows and doors, the wood work on such windows or doors igniting thus affording the means for conveying the flames to the interior of the building. It is therefore plain that if shutters which shall not expose any readily combustible material and shall prevent access of the flames to the wood work of the window or doors can be provided the building will be reasonably safe.

Shutters composed wholly of iron are too heavy and expensive and are such good conductors of heat that they afford little more protection than the ordinary glass windows. Moreover they are liable to warp and form openings through which the flames may pass, and those composed of wood or other material and provided with the fire-proof coverings heretoforeconstructed are also liable to the access of water and the consequent expansion often distorts and impairs the covering so as to render the shutter worthless.

The object of my invention is to provide a shutter which shall be simple, cheap, and furni'sh efficient barriers to the access of fire. In carrying out my invention I make use of the fact that the exclusion of air from combustible material will give immunity from burning, and my invention therefore consists of a shutter formed of wood or other light material completely inclosed in a covering of sheet metal.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 representsa front view of a window fitted with my shutters. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on line oc-zr of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line y-y of Fig. 1. Figs. land 5 are details showing the method of constructing the fire proof covering for the shutters; and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate one of the members of a shutter hinge.

In constructing my shutter I take two or more well seasoned boards a a of the proper form and size which are secured together to g prevent warping. These constitute the body of the shutter, and on the outside of thisIfit a covering of sheet metal which is out, bent, and folded to form the flanges boo-incident with the plane of the outer face of the shutter, flanges b which cover the edges of the shutter, and the flap b" to protect the corners. The inner edges of the flange b are bent and folded to form a lap joint h on the edges c of the sheet of metal 0 with which I cover the inner side of the body portion A of the shutter.

An important detail of my improvements consists in the construction of the covering at the corner of the shutter. This construction is shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 represents the way in which the corner is out and Fig. 5 represents its appearance when folded. The downwardly turned portions 0 and 0' cover the joints and prevent the ingress of water and consequent rusting or expansion by steam when water is thrown by firemen onto the building.

Where the window is small a single shutter will suflice, and the flanges I) should be provided on each edge. When the shutters are in pairs the flanges b should be made on all four edges of one and'on three edges of the other as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 so that the space between the meeting edges will be closed. As the flanges b fit against the bricks of the wall access of the flames to the wood work of thewindow frame is prevented.

Additional resistance to fire may be provided by interposing a layer of asbestus be tl'e f on the other plateF or leaf on the shutter. When the shutters are put up they are coated with good paintto prevent rusting.

It will be observed that in my shutter no inflammable part is exposed; that all openings for the passage of flames tothe window frame are closed; that it cannot warp and thus make openings for the passage of the fire; and that they are good non-conductors of heat.

My shutters will be found especially Valuable for large ware houses and stores situated on narrow alleys or streets and in close proximity to other perishable buildings.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A wooden shutter having a covering consisting of two sheets of sheet metal the outer of which is cut and bent to form flanges 1) coincident with the face of the shutter, flanges b to cover the edges of the shutter, and the downwardly turned portions b" at the corners to cover exposed-joints, and the inner sheet of which is connected by lap joints 0 c with the flanges b, substantially as shown and described.

2. A hinge for fire proof shutters having a 7 leaf formed with horizontal flangesd d to enter the mortar space between the bricks and with the socketf to receive the pintle of the supplementary part of the hinge and with a hole for the passage of a bolt through said leaf, combined with a bolt and means for securing the same in the wall, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ISAIAH SMITH.

Witnesses:

GEO. M. FINOKEL, CHARLES A. FIELD. 

